The Orlando Magic will begin a four-game week tonight, which will feature games against the Detroit Pistons (Monday, Jan. 4) and Brooklyn Nets (Friday, Jan. 8) on the road, while they face the Indiana Pacers (Wednesday, Jan. 6) and Washington Wizards (Saturday, Jan. 9) at home.
The Orlando Magic’s Scott Skiles was named the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in December. Skiles guided the Magic to a 10-5 (.667) overall record and a 5-2 road record (.714), both tops in the Eastern Conference. This is the sixth time an Orlando Magic head coach has been awarded the honor and the first time since April 2010, while it also marked the fourth time Skiles has won the award (previously: January 2005, April 2006 and February 2010).
Orlando went 2-2 last week, including home wins over the New Orleans Pelicans (104-89) and the Brooklyn Nets (100-93). The Magic concluded the week with losses at the Washington Wizards (91-103) and Cleveland Cavaliers (79-104). Orlando has an overall record of 19-15.
The Orlando Magic are allowing 98.7 ppg. (3,356 points) this season, which ranks sixth in the NBA (as of Jan. 3).
Nikola Vucevic averaged 19.4 ppg., 9.0 rpg. and 3.5 apg. during the month of December (291 pts., 135 rebs., 52 asts., 15 games). The only other player in Orlando Magic history to average 17+ ppg., 9+ rpg. and 3+ apg. during any calendar month is Shaquille O’Neal, who did it four times, the last in March 1995.
In the month of December, the Magic went an Eastern Conference-best 10-5, marking the team’s first 10-win month since February 2012. Orlando also recorded its second consecutive month over .500, which is the first time since February/March 2012 that the Magic have recorded back-to-back winning months. For games played in December, Orlando ranked first in the Eastern Conference in field goal percentage and steals, and second in opponents points per game and point differential.
Since Nov. 25, the Magic have a 13-7 record. That is the best record in the Eastern Conference and fifth-best in the entire NBA during that span (trailing only Golden State, San Antonio, Oklahoma City and the L.A. Clippers).
